Sparkwood "Kaleidoscopism"

Sparkwood is one of a rare few bands that take the Jellyfish power pop model to the next level. As their last two album, the bands love of Jellyfish, Queen, ELO and Beach Boys shine through each track here. I would consider “Kaleidoscopism” the best release yet. You know it’s going to be special when you hear vocalist Bart Padar’s multitrack a capella Beach Boys inspired intro “Welcome”- the rest of the parts were arranged and performed by Joel Nesvadba and Jonathan Nesvadba, Sparkwood’s bass player. Thus begins pure ear candy so sweet, the cavities may rot your brain. Enough cannot be said about guitarist Mark Doroba, who channels Brian May perfectly in each tune. The bouncy and playful “Ooh Sha La” leads to the Squeeze-meets-Queen “Losing my Mind.” The following tune, “Bop Bop Song” could be a children’s theme song, and my only problem here is that it seems lyrics were not written for it and a lot of “la la las” and “ba ba ba’s” placed instead. Things slow down a bit by the end of the album, but everything here shines. Included is four bonus tracks with demos and a perfectly good cover of Queen’s “Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy.” In some songs the mixing is a bit uneven and I feel Bart’s vocals get lost on a few tracks. The harmonies are really ingenious and catchy and that’s what great pop is all about. I could wax poetic on every track this album has even more, but you get the idea. This is a Japan only release right now, so the only place you can get it is from the Sparkwood site. I’m sure it will arrive in the US soon at the usual vendors. For those who cannot wait: Tasukete!

The Sparkwood Site | My Space

FYI: I have a handful of albums that need to be reviewed and then on 12/24 the First Annual Powerpopaholic Album Poll begins!

The Motion Sick "The Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait…"

Brainy indie pop is the name of the game with The Motion Sick. Lead singer, Mike Epstein weaves social commentary with big musical themes. Similar to Milton and The Devil’s Party, the combination of sweetness and bitterness is all over opening “Jean-Paul.” Then a do-wop styled indie musical number shows up in “30 lives” referring to love and video game companionship. This is really fun and catchy (see the video below) and the upbeat tempo continues with the next track “Walk on Water.” The song has an alt-country drum and bass driven, toe-tapping melody. Similar in approach to The Decemberists, The Motion Sick have lyrical stories of a life on the edge of reason. It carries this theme through several brilliant tracks like “Losing Altitude” and “The Owls Are Not What They.” My favorite track though is the thick nihilism of “Tiny Dog (Nobody Cries).”  With lyrics like “nobody listens/ nobody cares/ nobody stalks you/ or blogs your affairs,” its the perfect theme song for a burnt-out celebrity (Lindsay Lohan are you listening?) After this, the group coasts on the last two tracks, including a cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” There is also a Dance Mix of the song “30 Lives” that some people will enjoy more than the original, see the video of that version here. Overall a really good album worth your ears.

The Motion Sick Site | My Space | Itunes | CD Baby

Listen to “30 Lives”

The State of Samuel "Here Come The Floods"


Stockholm, Sweden is the home of indie lo-fi artist, State of Samuel. The new album “Here come the Floods” are on first listen, an attempt to recreate the subtle beauty of the Elephant Six Collective bands. With some quirky pop fragments (some lasting under 2 minutes) you really get a sense of early Apples in Stereo or Neural Milk Hotel with a very nasal delivery. Many of the songs have snappy hook filled goodness like “Always Under the Gun” complete with 12-string strum and a nice harmony with Betty-Marie Barnes of Saturday Looks Good To Me. The vocals by Samuel Petersson, will either grow on you (“Square Roots” and “Residence of Gloom”) or annoy you (“Slow Day for UFOs”). Some gems are here, like “The Unholy Ghost” or “Suburbs on The Run” and most other tunes are too short to take hold, in fact the entire album is a only 28 minutes long. I’m conflicted here, because although many tunes are tightly arranged and catchy pop sing-a-longs, the vocals would strain that acceptability beyond a few minutes each. Pick and choose here for best results.

The State of Samuel Page | My Space | eMusic | Itunes | CD Baby

Listen to “Residence of Gloom”

The Cynics "Here We Are"

Pittsburgh’s Cynics, are one of America’s longest-running—and greatest—garage bands. Punk Pop done right since 1983 and now they add some power pop into the mix with the newest album “Here We Are.” Like other true garage acts, The Fuzztones, or The Chesterfield Kings, they take a hint from the great bands of the past and keep the punk DIY spirit alive. Like label mates The Ugly Beats, they add just enough pop to the stew to keep me interested. Gregg Kostelich has kept The Cynics a tightly tuned machine here, with the title track opener a nice mid tempo folk rock tune that could’ve fallen off the Nuggets box set. Then the fuzz-toys come out for the Chocolate Watchband-like “Coming Round My Way.” Amazing still is “The Ring” a song that is the Small Faces reincarnated and would fit nicely on “Odgen’s Nut Gone Flake.” A wonderful Byrdsian guitar based “Me Wanting Her” follows that and is the poppiest Cynics track I have ever heard. The track “Slide Over” complete with harmonica accents is like a lost Beau Brummels track. But things then get heavier with “Hard To Please.” The true spirit of power pop punk is in the track “What She Said” and my favorite track here. Michael Kastelic’s vocals are a refined rooty howl and fit the songs perfectly. It ends out nicely with the ballad “Courtney” (a poem about Cortney Love?) and although every song has great energy and are played with swagger, something is missing. Most of the choruses don’t have that neat pop-harmony hook and that’s my only caveat here. On the other hand, most really good punk music doesn’t need it and if you’re looking for tracks to be played loud and with killer rythym and beats look no further.

The Cynics Page | My Space | eMusic | Itunes | Not Lame

Listen to “What She Said”